Seeing Sheriff Ted Holder on television reporting "meth bust" after "meth bust" in Massac County caused concern for Natalie Quint, who is a crisis and mental health counselor at Massac Mental Health.

In December 2011, Quint met with Holder regarding the methamphetamine situation and left with a few ideas. One of those ideas was the formation of what is currently known as the Massac County Methamphetamine Coalition.

Methamphetamine, or meth as it is commonly called, is a central nervous system stimulant drug that has a high potential for abuse as stated on www.drugabuse.gov. Meth is manufactured in small, illegal laboratories that can sometimes endanger themselves, neighbors and the environment.

The coalition consists of concerned citizens in professions ranging from law enforcement, probation officers, retired teachers, counselors and parents.

"Right now our biggest goal is awareness," Quint said. "We are wanting to let the community know how serious this problem is — not with just meth, though. We want to promote awareness about all drugs. Today the major drug is meth, tomorrow it could be heroin."

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